Buy or Sell: Analyzing early season trends (Part 2/2)
Rick Nash – Nash continues to be one of the most overrated assets in fantasy hockey. He has never broke 80 points in a season and never played a full 82 game season in his career. Yes we know we are talking about a two-time 40 goal scorer and three-time 30 goal guy but he has never made that jump to an elite winger, despite his dual-position eligibility. With his point totals down– only four points through his first nine games– his value already has sunk further. Consider his team, which has failed to make strides, and consider his team before taking him next season; its as simple as that. For now, wait until his point totals pick up to try to acquire an actually consistent elite forward.
DF Prognosis: Hold
Ryan Kesler – After a breakout 75 point campaign, Kesler has only four points through his first nine games. While centers are usually an easy thing to acquire, you may be able to buy low on the talented pivot considering his lack of production thus far. His main problem has been lack of talent surrounding him with Mason Raymond or Mikael Samuelsson shifting to the top line at times. When Alex Burrows returns to the team the trickle-down will help Kesler to gain stability amongst linemates as he only has one assist after putting up 83 assists in the last two years.
DF Prognosis: Buy
Steve Montador -Through some miracle Montador is a plus-9 on a below average team. His statistics and rank seem inflated by playing alongside the powerful Derek Roy line but make no mistake, he is a fantasy mirage. Sell him as an elite defenseman before Tyler Myers usurps his role. Hopefully other managers will not notice he only really has one goal on the year. Over his career he has never topped 23 points on a season.
DF Prognosis: Sell
Steve Downie – Downie is a throwback to an older generation. A time when the powerforward could knock in over 20 goals while racking up the PIMs. Well that is just what the former Philadelphia Flyers prospect has done over the course of a year. Even better is his role for the Tampa Bay Lightning– a team that will likely go to the playoffs in front of a new general manager and head coach– as a first line winger who lines up next to Martin St. Louis and Steven Stamkos. If you can get your hands on Downie, do so as his play is good enough to keep Ryan Malone on the second line.
DF Prognosis: Buy
Brendan Morrison – The veteran center has been an excellent story after failing to crack the Vancouver Cancucks’ roster with nine points through his first 10 games. Although Morrison had success in the past, it is a long way from 2002-2003 and even playing on a team’s top line. His production is not an aberration as he did something similar last season in Washington before finishing with only 40 points.
DF Prognosis: Sell
We hope you enjoyed our most recent feature, be sure to check out plenty more of our new material moving forward. You can follow us on twitter @dailyfaceoff as we continue to bring you information on starting goalies, team lineups and major injury updates as well as provide in-depth injury updates in the future.